New York State Attorney General's Office Account Book Relating to the Investigation of James H. Ward

The bulk of this account book contains tables and information relating to the investigation of James H. Ward. Ward served as an agent of Dr. James H. Hart, health commissioner of the port of New York from 1838 to 1840. In his capacity as agent, Ward was responsible for the collection and accounting of monies to be paid to the Marine Hospital for quarantine of passengers from foreign countries who landed at the port of New York. Ultimately, Ward was indicted and tried for embezzling money that was supposed to have been paid to the Hospital.

The account book contains tables that compare the receipts of Ward with receipts, accounts, and master reports from ships' captains and Custom House records; a recapitulation of the tables presented in the account book (on page 68), which summarizes the tables on pages 1-67 and provides the total deficiencies of hospital money and the number of passengers not accounted for or not properly accounted for; and a report from the State Comptroller that describes the findings of the investigation against Ward.

Also included in the book is a list of accounts unrelated to the investigation of James Ward, and notes on various lots of land sold.

This record was originally volume 66 of old collection -198.

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